Injured soldier honored at Menomonie football game

Menomonie, Wis (WEAU)- A local high school honors a former player after he was hurt fighting for our freedom in Afghanistan.

At UW-Stout's Williams stadium, former Menomonie football player Jason Church was honored in a pre-game ceremony. Church lost both his legs below the knee while serving in Afghanistan last month.

Last we heard from Jason himself he had his 7th surgery on Wednesday, but according to his brother Jacob he had another surgery Friday and they have started closing the wounds.

Jason was an all-state offensive lineman for Menomonie high school back in 2006. He wasn’t able to make it to the game that was played in his honor, but the support for him at the stadium was huge.

"We have a son playing tonight and what an honor it is to have our youngest son playing for Jason Church,” said Tricia Bauer, who has watched Jason Church grow up and was at the game to honor him.

"The Menomonie football program is all about family. I’m not suprised by the outpouring of support," said Jody Pabich who was there to honor Jason as well.

It’s been a hard few weeks for the church family.

"It was hard to take at first but he is still going to be my brother and I'm going to see him again,” said Jason’s youngest brother Jacob Church.

Jacob along with their their grandparents made it to tonight’s ceremony. They say that Jason is doing well.

"Physically hes doing much better, better than what the doctors were expecting,” said Jacob.

All the Menomonie football players put a number 60 decal on the back of their helmets that also had camouflage in the background. The number 60 is the number that Jason wore throughout his high school football career.

Jacob says he has always looked up to his bigger brother but now more than ever.

"You’re my hero, you’re my inspiration, and you will always be. You’re the one when times are tough I think of. I think of something you told me and look at the times you’ve struggled and pushed through. Thank you for being there for me and being my inspiration,” said Jacob.

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